Lorain man arrested in connection with series of robberies

LORAIN  An early evening robbery Saturday led to the arrest of a Hispanic man suspected of robbing a bank and credit union earlier this month.
Officers responded to the Kwik Mart food store, 3155 Pearl Ave., at 9 p.m., after a store employee reported that a short male with a thick accent brandished a dark handgun and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, according to Lorain police Capt. Roger Watkins.
Witnesses identified the suspect as 33-year-old Erik Castillo of 313 Missouri Ave., and the Lorain Police Patrol Division was advised to be on the lookout for the alleged robber.
A short time later, Castillo was spotted by police at Litos bar, 1802 E. 28th St., where he was apprehended.
Castillo was in possession of a replica handgun and a small amount of what is believed to be cocaine, Watkins said.
Police believe Castillo to be the primary suspect in the Chase Bank robbery on Jan. 18 and CommStar Credit Union robbery on Jan. 8.
Watkins said police and the FBI are working to complete the investigations pertaining to the two robberies, and additional charges against Castillo may be filed.
Castillo is suspected of entering CommStar Credit Union, 5609 W. Erie Ave., about 4:49 p.m. and forcing employees and customers into a back room before fleeing the scene.
A SWAT team made entry into the credit union and located five people unharmed.
Ten days later, employees of Chase Bank, 2232 Fairless Drive, reported a Hispanic male entered the bank at 1:05 p.m. and demanded money after brandishing a handgun.
In both instances, witnesses described the suspect as a Hispanic male, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, wearing a mask.